Steam-plow.



W N. SPRINGER.

.STEAM PLOW.

W. N. SPRINGER.

STEAM PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED IIIAR. e. 1906.

Mmmm@ Bee. 26, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

www@

W. N. SPRINGER.

STEAM PLow.

APPLICATION HLEDVMAR. a. 190e.

* Yanted Dec. 26,1916.

4 .sums-SHEET a.

W. N. SPRNGER.

STEAM PLOW.

APPucATloN man MAR. s. 190e. @@9 8W?, Patented Dec. 26,1916. 9 q 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

carica.

WILLIAEI'N. SPRINGER, on rEonIA, ILLINOIS, AssIGNon., EY NEsNE ASSIGNMENTS,"

v'Io AvEEY COMPANY, a conronATIoN or ILLINOIS..

incase?.

To allw25/ omitmayconcern: l'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM.. N. SPRIN- l' GER, a citizen ofthe United States, residing/at and. useful Improvements in Steam-Flows, of which the following-is. a specification,

reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.. rj f This .invention relates Vto improvements `in steam p'lows, it pertaining; .particularly to;

- v1ew of the anchors or fastening devices of -the steeringchains; and Figs. 13 14 and the class of plows knownfas 'gangfplows One object of the invention is 'to produce4 afgang plow adaptedto be-.p'ro e1ledjby. a

'l'suitable tractor, suchxas an or mary tracvinthe 4drawings, ..Arindicates as an ention engine, "andto provide a main-frame for theplow 'sc supported-and soconnected to the tractor that the'p'arts'fsaidframe to Awhich the individual plows are connected will be maintained at as uniformeJ distance from. the. ground as possible.

A further object is .to-provide a-plow of this character a rigid main frame. So Supported from the ground and so connected. to

the tractor as to swing in-unison with the 'tractor frame, together. with` individual. -plow's having universally ie'xible con'nec-ll frame are'shown.i.

.g5-The framel A. of the-'gangplow is pref` '-erably triangularfinf shape and comprises glongitudinally arranged .horizontal beams :or bars `1,"2,` 'and 3, transverse beams .or Ibars tions with said main frame. to permit of 'such-swinging ofthe main frame without -uniform operation .ofiA

interfering with the vthe plowsi- A furthrobject isfto provide in lconnec-" tion with them'ainffraine improved means for taking onand holdinga supply of water which may bedrawn upon to replenish the supply of water in the boiler )of a, tractor to which the .plow maybeattached.

Other objects ofv he invention willbedis-x` closed throu'ghthe description of a'l mech-'-v- 40 anism which .I have .herein shown for the connected at intervals by plates 6i and suitpurposes of illustrating it. j

. Figure 1 is a top plan .view off-a I POW embdyil'l'g. my improvementaa portion of a traction engine. to which it is connected also being shown. Fig-.Q isa sidey elevation of the same. Fig. 3 1s a planview of the gang-plow frame. Fig. 4 is arear end view of the same. Fig. -5 shows the l gang-plow frame. Peoria, in the county of Peoria and '5 State of Illinois, 'have invented certain new thev longitudinalbeam 1 and t i Speciilcation of Letters 1'ia .tent. .Y Paftfelnte Die@ 26, F316. Application mea Maranaicos. .serial Naaoasss.

VI'.'..7in echanisn1 .for controlling Said wheel which 1s arranged both on the tractor' and fthe:

Fig. 8 isa'n enlarged planofthe connection or joint between the plow beam ofthe gang-plow frame and the plow beamof each individual plow.. Fig. 9 is a vertical section through a portion of the'joint shown in Fig. 8. Figs. 10'and of onefof the 'adjusting plates. of the plow connection.l Figi 12 isan enlarged detail 15 s how' details ofparts .of the p ow connection'shownin .'Fig. 8.

tirety,the .frame-work. of the gang-plow.

11 'are edge and face views, respectively, i

B. the .steering wheel upon .which it is mounted, C the.l gangfof p lows connected thereto, and 'D :the motors carried by the said'frame and arranged vtofcontrol the elevation. from .and loweringito working pos'l.-

tion of the4 plows.-

[..E indicatesgthel tractorfinthe 'ormiof a j I. tractionengi'ne 'of which onlyv portions of he' front steering wheels and steering mech- -anism,-the #rea-r traction-wheels', and the .land 5 supported on saidlongitudinal bars,

and adiagonally arranged :I-beam or gangpreferably, for the sake -o lightness and consistent strength, a'skeleton beam .bult up s The steeringwheel B-is arranged' in a.

supplemental frame in the .angle between e diagonal gang-plow-beam 6, in such manner as to be -on the left hand side of the frame and near the rear end thereof. The wheel is rigidly vsecured to an axle 7 mounted transverselyin the bearings 7 7, carried by the beams 8, '8, f respectively, which also carry the lower fball .race 9 of the ball bearing, the

" upper .ball race 9 of which is 'carried by the transverse bars 10, 10 secured in position between the longitudinal 1 and 2.

i f it at the top or bottom there@ andthe bearing blocks 12, 12, and held in ,-zhaving ,11 are supporting and bracing rods, each 4v,Connected at one end to the gang-plow-beam l6 either at-the top 'or bottom'v thereof, and y at l'its other end lto one of thev longitudinal "beams 'of' the frame correspondingly eitherv 'The longitudinal beams 2'and Spi-eier.'

. ably extend forward beyond the top trans' verse beam 4, as indicated at 2,

3',v respectively, and at their front ends carry bearing or'pivot blocks 12, 12, which serve" as part'` of themeans by -which the gangplow-frame is 'connectedtothe tractor frame.- The latter is' indicated by 13, and as shown, when the front end of the gang-plow-frame."

.14, 14, are connection brackets secured atthe frames are connected together overlaps theirront ends to the tractor frame-and theirrear ends adapted tq lie adjacent to the bearing blocks, 12, 12.

15- is "a rod or'- shaft extending through the rear ends of said connection brackets position by pins 15', 15 at either end, which may be suitablylocked to'preventl their detachment except when desired.

16, 16', aresuitablehangers'or supports.

Q-for `the sha'ft 15' suspended from 'therear Ibeam 5 and 'end'of thetractor1 frame. d .v

17 is a bar or. rodeo'nnecting the'beams 2 and 3 together'neartheir front ends." 418, 18', are -rods ,or bars, each secured 'at its-rear-'end 'to 1 the under surfaceof the' at its' frontend vto 'the cross l' bar'l.'V 19, 19', are horizontally arranged gulde to "the steering mechanism for the steering vwheels ofthe tractor in any suitable manner according to the nature of the said mecha- For illustration, I have shown the tractor E as having4 the traction wheels 20, 20, supporting the rear end of the engine ;frame 13, and the 'steering wheels 21, 21, supporting the front end thereof. These steering wheels areturned in either direc-- I' tion about a pivotal pointv central between.- them by means of a swinging-rod v22 pivoty.

ally connected to a yoke 23connected with the steering axle, 'Ihe swinging bar 22 may be caused to swing in both directions between I certain' limits 'by means of a threadedv con- -6q'nection- 22 with a power-driven screw rodfp24,`th is particular steering mechanism being set'fo'rth and described -ent N0. 8 42,589,dated January 29, 1907.

in detail in my Pat- 25 is a cross bar connected at either end to the adjacentframe bar of the tractor.

' gang-plow-frame in both directions.

- cal connecting beam has adjustably secured to it a. ro

' the ground and support the 26, 26 are horizontally arranged sheaves v pivotally connected to and supported by said cross bar 25." Y

27 is aA steering chain extendinglaround and guided by thelsheaves 26, 26', and connected at 27 with the swinging bar 22 of the steering mechanism for wheels of the tractor.'

28, 28 are rods each connectedat its for` Ward en d to the' adjacent end of the chain 27 and at'their rear end-by universal joints 285 to the adjacent sheavefcarryingvframes 19h. 29 is a steering chain or cable for positively rotatingthe steering wheel B ofTthe his chainextends around the said wheel and is rigidly'secured at 29' to the rotatable frame which carries thewheel.. From the left side of this frame the chain extends in a line as .indicated at 29, to the guide sheave 19 around which it is carried and from' which it extends in. aline 29". 'Its end is secured to one end of abolt 30 which is free to move through an aperture`30j'in one of the vertiplates of the 'diagonal gangplow-beam 6. 1

a1 is spring encircling-'said boa and Vinterposed between. the said plateand a nut 30l adjustable along the bolt. From the opposite side of-therotatable steering wheelcarrying frame the chain extends .along athe' steering.

l line 32' t-o the guide sheave 19l around which v l. 4it vis directed and :fromA which it extends l along the line 32 to a. bolt 33, toone end of which it is connected and which' is likewise i, supported in one of the connecting plates in "the I-beam 6 and isfree to move laterally j therethrough.

'34 isv a spring encircling said bolt and interposed between said plate and a nut 33 .adjustable along said bolt-.Each plow of'v the p ,fa'ng` C is'- identical in `all particulars with 'the others'and isj similarly .connected to `the gang beam '6 of the rigid triangular andtherefore it will only be necesframe, sary to describe one of them and its means of connection to the frame.

35 indicates the plow beam of each individual plow. It hasthe downwardly turned part35 to which a suitable plow share 36 and mold board 37 are secured. The forlow ward extending arm 35* of the' said 111g. or revolving colter 38 and at 1ts front. end

thel plow is in working position, servin plow beam 35 in such manner as to determine the depth at which the plow share 36 .will operate. The Wheel 39 ispivoted to one carries a vertically adjustable ground and gage wheel 39, this wheel, when t'o bear upon ront Aend of the side of a vertically adjustable rod 39' which is held and- .guided betweenrsuitable guides or lugs 39", 39b secured to the. front end of the plow carried by the the upp extending through it and one of the holes 39c in the upper end of the said bar.

42 is a toothed locking segment carried at one side ofthe projection or lug 41', andl 43 is a spring-controlledlockingpawl arranged to engage withfthe teeth of said segment,

and to hold the lever arm 40 in variouspositions of adjustment. By .connecting the lever arm 40 with the wheel-carrying arm 39 through the dii'erent holes 39c therein, a wide range of adjustment'forthe wheel 39 is obtained. i .1 4'

44 is a yoke rigidly secured to the front end of the plowbeam 35..v It is pivotally connected to a yokeor U-shaped bar- 45 by a 'horizontally disposed transverse pivot 46,

which ivot may be insertedthrough the vario'us a ined holes 44', arranged in a vertical series along the arms of the yoke 44, in

order to vary `the relation 'of the connection between thesaid yoke and the said U-shaped bar 45.

47 is a plate or disk rigidly secured to the said bar between its rearwardl extending arms. The rear Aface ofthis p ate is provided. with a v-series of radially arrange teeth. .1'

48 isa disk or'plate provided with a corresponding series of radially arranged teeth adapted to register withv the teeth of the plate 47. This plate 48 at diametrically opnecting the vertical part 51 posite points-is provided with curvilinear passageways 48 through which bolts 49 extend which are adapted to bind the plates 47 and 48' together, these curvilinear passageways serving to permit the adjustment of the plate 48 relative to the plate 47.

50 is a vertically arranged Ufshapedplate rigidly secured to the disk or plate 48 and having its horizontal arms extending lforward. n

51 is a universal joint-member or element having a vertically arranged portion -51 and a horizontally arranged portion 51a.

52 is a pivot pin or bolt pivotally con- OA the said member between the arms of the U-shaped bar' 50. 1-

53,. 54,.are horizontally arranged plates I rigidly secured to the bottom 30 of the gangplow-beam 6 by bolts 53, 54. In the rear of said beam they are spacedl apartto receive a connecting or coupling plate 55 which is inserted between them and clamped between them by means of bolts extending vbetween saidplates.

56 is a pin made of wood or somesuitable material which will break. under'consider- 'or projections 55 rear edge of the plate .and are adapted to parts of the plow'or its connections.

will any of the irietv;al I' This.

pin c is :inserted through vertically alinedholes 53a, 54'in the plates53- and"54 vand a hole 55 in the connecting or coupling plate 55. At its rear end each of the 'plates' 53 and '54-'is notched Aat' 'eitherside thereof'as indlcated at 53, 53?. The; upper plate 5.4 of.l

the said connecting'r'neans overlaps`theb'ot torn flange" of the diagonal' b eamfand Ais connected 'to the plate. 53'l by means of the j bolts' 54. This plate at itsrearj end is notched at 54",5'4?, so that the walls of said notches will -alinewithv the walls of the 'notch 53b inthe plate 53. The intermediate.-55 atits. front end is notchedas to receive the shank of the ate p which passes through all of the is adapted to bind them together.

plates and 55, 55e, are bolts, the Shanks of which pass' 55-,.in the plate 55 and are adapted toenterjthe alined V'notches 53" and .'54b in the'lower andupper plates throughapertures 55,

respectively theyl also serving toi bind the plates together. It will be seen thatif'the tension between the plates of the connecting device exceeds a redetermined amount,.'the pin 56 will brea and the plate 55 will be ulled out from between the upper and ower plates. Lateral vmotion of the plates relative to eachother while they are connected together is prevented by the engagement d Aoit the walls of the various notches in the. different plates with the shanks of the bolts therein. The coupling plate 55 carries arms which extend beyond thereceive .between them .the horizontal element 51a of the universal joint member 51.'A

57 is a coupling pin or pivot connecting the said part '51a with the said projections lor arms 55".

58 are spacing frames each carried Jby one I of the plow beams and interposed between it and the next adjacent plow beam to the ri'ght oli it. These frames may consist, -as shown, simply of a bar of metal 58 secured at 58a to the plow beam and extending across to and bearing against the adjacent enig cated at 58. devices is secured only to one of the plow beams, it will be seen that they will in nowise prevent the substantially independent operation of the plows. .The lifting and D for the gang of plows preferably consists of two simple single acting steam engines 59, 59 arranged near either end of the gang plow-beam 6. Each of theselifting and lowering devices comprises a steam cylinder '59" arranged longitudinally of. the ang-plow-frame and rigidly .secured in inc ined position on top .of the I-beam 6.

low beam at 58b and thenreturning and b secured to the first plow beam as indi- As each one of. these spacing*- the lowering mechanism These engines 59, 59 are preferably carried by inclined beams 60, 60, respectively, each of these inclined beamsbeing connected near its lower end as indicated at 6l to an .upwardly extending plate or projection 62 'which is rigidly secured to theupper surface of the said gang-plow-beam 6. And

each is rigidly supported in position near its upper end byl supporting bars or'rods 63, 64, connected at their upper ends to the said inclined. bar by a bolt or pin 65. The support 63 is secured at its lower vend to the -upper surface of the I-beam 6, andthe support 64; is connected at its lower end to the same beam near the bottom' thereof.

66 are vertically arranged guide sheaves" pivotally mounted at the rear ends of the inclined bars 60, 60..

67 are pistons arranged to piston rods controlled by said pistons.

69 is a floating teamfrom whichthejplws of the'gang are suspended'whenin elevated position. This floating beam is arranged parallel to the gang-,plow-beam 6.

. 70, 71, are chains respectively connecting the rearends of the piston rods 68 to vthe said Heating beam, and 72, 73, are chains i connecting the rear end of the inclined beams 60, 60 to the said ioatingv beam 69,.

' respectively. The chains 70'and 71.serve to transmit power for the elevating ofthe said floating beam and to control its lowering' into .working position, and the chains 72 and 73 servedto prevent the lowering of.

the said floating beam relativeto the said inclined beams 60,60', beyond apredeter-4v minedpoint..

74, 75, are locking bars pivotally l conncctedv at 74", 75', respectively, to the upper surfaces'of the cylinders 59* and each carryingat its outer end-aforked portion 76, the arms of'whichiare arrangedy to engage *with the links of the chains -70 and 71' in'V order to lock or hold the floating' beam 69 in elevated. position.

The mom/enum for aetatig'and on? trolling the movements of the'. pistons 67 vwithin their respective cylinders' isvpreferhave shown a supply pipe 77 connected toa pipe 78 which extends between the cylinders 59a, 59, and which is in vcommunica-y sov ably taken 4fromthe source of motive! fluidv supply for the tractor. For illustration, I

adjacent cylinder.

The supply pipe 77 may be a three-way valve 79 adapted both to place said pipe in communication with the source yof motive fluid supply and also with the external air, and by this simple means motion at either end with` the interior of the tive Huid can be introduced' into the cylin-v ders for forcing the pistons forward therein and elevating the plows, and when it is desired tol lower Vthe plows motive fluid can lreciprocate'` within the cylinders, 59, 59, and 68 )are lswlnging frameor crane 87 `that-the free end of the hose may be 1uprovided with also be introduced into the cylinders in such manner as tovrelieve the strain on the lockbars 74, 75, which may thenbe readily repiston withinthe cylinder may be employed.

8() is4 a water tank secured infposltion. upon the plow frame and adapted to carry waterforthe tractor.

`81 isa fuel box likewise suitably secured upon the plow frame and adapted-to carry fuel for the tractor. 82 is an inlet pipe for 'conducting water into the water tank 80, and 83 is an outlet. 1 pipe for ldrawing it 'off tol the tractor. I y -have found it highly desirable to provide y some means for filling the water tank-80. with water while the plowA frameis travel ing along in operation. To this end, the in- .j

let pipe 82 is.'v connected to one arm 84: of

a T- coupling 84:; the other arm 84" of which,

.in alineinent with the arm! 84', is connected, to a steam supply pipe or jet 85 communicatin'g vwith j a steam supply line on the ..tracton The arm .IS/ibis connected with a flexible hose 86 supported and carried by a serted in a water tank or a water cart indicated by 88, and as the cart moves along parallel with the plow frame, water may tank 80. The steam jet 85 will direct steam into the arm 84 of the'coupling 84 in such 7 way as. tocreate'asuction orsiphonic action in the hose 86. 1- j 'fc Each individual plow beam 35 is con- 110' Y vnectedto the 'floatingbeam 69 by achain or cable 89 connected at 89l to the vlatter beam and at 89 to the former beam', in such' vmanner that when the oating beam has beenelevated a predetermined dlstance above the ground, these chains or cables become. taut and then cause' the suspension above the ground ot their respective plows. The'operationof the mechanism will be pling pivot or rod 15 and -the steering rods 28, 28 are connected to 'the sheave frames l9b,l9b, if. power is applied for driving the 1n such manner 10 readily understood. When the plow frame Iis.connected to the tractor frame by the coutractor, the triangular plow frame will move 12 5 with it wherever it goes, and in accordance with the turning or the steering of the steering wheels of the tractor the rods 28,728 will act upon the steering chain 29 for the steering wheel B of the plow frame in such manbe drawn fromv the tank thereon into the 105 `5 this will cause the plow frame to follow in angular movements about longitudinal axes.

and 34 provide the necessary resiliency 1n ship between the plows and the frame. With' 80 .ing mechanism.

- beam 6 and the plow beam 35 of each indirangement of the wheel B. This wheel is races I ner as to cause the said frame to track propindividual plows to readily change their erly behind the tractor. For example, relines of draft as the plow frame is swung ferring to Fig. 7, if the steering wheels are more or less to one-side .or the other.

turned so as to cause the tractor to turn to. It will be observed that the universal conthe right, the rod 28 on the right hand Side .nections which I have provided not only 70 of the tractor will exert a pull 'on the chain' permit the plows to freely swing vertically 29 so as to turn the axle of thesteering and laterally with respect to the main frame, wheel B in anti-clockwise direction, and but also serve to hold the plows against any the path of the tractor. If the steering The construction is -to be contrasted with 75 wheels are turned so as to cause the tractor certain earlier gang plows in which the into turn to the left, the 7steering wheel B will dividual plows were connected to the frame be 'turned in clockwise direction to make the merely by means of chain links which were plow frame track properly. The springs `31 ineffective to lmaintain any definite relationthe steering mechanism between the tractor my construction each individual plow is held and the plow frame to'prevent unnecessary vertical and is therefore enabled to operate straining of the chains, rods, and connecfreely and efficiently. Furthermore, the tions, and to take up any sudden jerksor spacing means for the plows, combined with shocks imparted either from the steering the means for holding them vertical, causes g5 wheels of the tractor or the steering wheel the work to be evenly divided among the and supporting wheel Bof the plow frame. several plows with the result that the fur- The raising and lowering of the gang of rows are all uniform. plows will be readily understood and does With the front side of the plow frame pivnot need further description. It will be oted to the rear end of the tractor in the 90 noted that the gang-plow-beam 6 carries at manner set forth, it will, of course, rise and4 or near its bottom the connections or coufall slightly with said rear end of the tractor plingsbetween it and each individual plow, when the latter passes over uneven ground, l and that on its top it supports the cylinders the plow frametilting about the horizontal and various parts of the lifting and loweraxis of the wheel B. But the BHGC'G 11POI1 95 i the plows of this tilting of the plow frame is The connectionbetween the main plow reduced to a minimum by the peculiar arvidual plow being a universal one, by adjustdisposed approximately midway between mg the plates 47 and 48 relative t0 each transverse vertical planes through the front 100 other and the U-shaped bar 45 relative to the and' rear ends of the obliquely disposed beam yoke 44, it is possibleto rapidly and read` to which the plows are hitched, or, 1n other ily connect up and maintain the connection words, about midway between-the frame conbetween the said beams in the relationship nections of the outside plows. Therefore desired. -r the lifting. and depressing of the front ends 105 The transverse pivots at 46 and 51a perof the beams of the plows is reduced to a mit the vertical play of each individual minimum and made as uniform as possible I plow both relative to the plow frame and throughout the gang. f

to the other plows of the gang, while the I do not herein claim, as a part of this vertical pivots at 51 permit the desired present invention, the steering mechanism 110 lateral play of each individual plow. The for the plow, nor the connectionsbetween the i gage wheels 89 are carried by vand are adplow steering mechanism 'and the steering justable for each individual plow and are so mechanism of the tractor. This subjectmounted as to be quickly and readily admatter is presented in my co-pending applijusted to regulate the depthv of plowing of cation for coupled. vehicles, .Serial No. 115 their respective plows. 457,115, filed October '10, 1908, as a division With the rigid plow frame connected at ofthis application.

vtwo widely separated points to'the tractor What I claim isi frame and with the p low frame supported, '1. The combination with a tractorv of. a

by the swiveling steermg wheel, it isclear rigid plow frame comprlsing 'a beam dls- 120 that the said frame will swing bodily with posed obliquely to the lines of travel, a

the tractor frame. Thus the driver or enseries of plows connected to the beam, p1vl gineer can by means of the tractor steering otal connections between the tractor and wheel accurately guide the plow frame. the front of the plow frame adapted to Furthermore, since each plow has a universupport the front side of said frame, and 125 sal connection with the main frame, the lata single supporting wheel for said frame ter can be swung to one side or the other in disposed approximately midway between guiding it without interfering Iwith the even transverse vertical planes through the front and uniform action of the several plows, beand rear ends of the said frame beam.

cause the universal connections permit the 2. The combination with a tractor, of a 130 rigid plow frame comprising abeam disposed obliquely to the lines of travel, a series of plows connected to the said beam, pivotal connections between the tractor and the front of the plowy frame adapted to support the front side of said frame and cause it to swing in unison with the tractor when the course of the latter is changed, and a single supporting wheel for the frame disposed approximately midway between transverse vertical planes through the front and rear ends of the said frame beam and mounted to swing about an upright axis.

connect-ions between the tractor and the g posed transverse vertical planes through the front front of the plow frame adapted to supportv the front side of said frame and vcause vit to swing in unison with the tractor when the course of the latter is changed, and. a single supporting wheel for the frame disapproximately midway between and rear ends of the said frame beam and mounted to swing about an upright axis.

4. The combination with a tractor, of' a rigid plow frame comprising a beam disposed obliquely to the lines of travel, laterally extended two point draft connections between the tractor and, frame adapted to cause the frame to swing in unison with the tractor when the course of the latter is changed, means comprising a swiveling wheel for supporting the rear part of the frame, and a series,` of plows each having a universal connection with the aforesaid beam of the plow frame which permits it to freely swing both vertically in relation to the plow frame and laterally around a 1 single vertical pivot which is fixed relatively to the frame and said connectionl holding the beam against angular movement about a longitudinal axis.

5. The combination with a tractor, of a I rigid plow frame suitably supported from the ground and comprising a beam disposed obliquely to the'lines of travel, laterally extended two point draft connections between the tractor and the frame adapted tovcause the frame to swing in unison with the tractorwhen the course ofthe latter is changed, and' a series of plows each having` a universal 'connection with the aforesaid beam of the plow frame, which permits it to freely swing both vertically in relatlon to the plow frame and laterally around a single vertical pivot which is fixed relatively to the frame and said connection holding the beam against angular movement about a longitudinal axis.

6.^The combination with a tractor, of a rigidplow frame suitably supported from the ground and comprising a beam disposed obliquely to the lines of travel laterally extended .two point draft. connections between the tractor and the frame adapted to cause the frame to swing in unison with the tractor when the course of the latter is changed, a series vof plows each having a universal connection with the plow frame which permits it to freely swing both vertically in relation to the plow frame and laterally around a single vertical pivot which is fixed relatively to the frame and said connection holding the beam against angular movement about a longitudinal axis, and spacing means carried by the plows and serving to hold them separated without interfering with their free swinging vertically and laterally.

7. The combination with a tractor, of a rigid plow frame suitably supported from the ground and comprising a beam disposed obliquely to the lines of travel, laterally extended two point draft connections between the tractor and the frame adapted to cause the frame to swing in unison with the tractor when the course of the latter is changed, a series of plows each having a universal connection with the plow frame which permits it to freely swing both vertically in relation to the plow frame and laterally around a single vertical pivot fixed relatively to the frame and said connection holding the beam against angular movement about a longitudinal axis, and spacing means carried by each of said plows and extending laterally to loosely engage the adjacent plow so that the plows are free to separate laterally from each other.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM N. SPRINGER. 

